Alan Shearer slams ‘terrible’ Illan Meslier in Leeds United 2-0 defeat v Fulham
Alan Shearer slammed Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier for his “terrible” positioning in the 2-0 defeat against Fulham in the FA Cup fifth-round.
In what was one of the goals of the FA Cup campaign, Meslier fell victim to a scorching long-range effort from Joao Palhinha after the Whites gave the ball away in their own half.
The Portuguese midfielder won the ball 30 yards out and hit a shot which whipped and it curled past a helpless Meslier who was well off his line.
Shearer, speaking live on BBC’s coverage [28 February, 8:09pm] of the fifth-round encounter, slammed the young Frenchman for his hand in the goal.
He said: “He has one look, Palhinha. He doesn’t need a second one. Spots the keeper in a terrible position because he didn’t expect the ball to be given away. Picks his spot, the bend and the curl on it is magnificent and it’s in off the post. Keeper has no chance.”
“Meslier is five or six yards off his line because he doesn’t expect them to give the ball away. Great, quick thinking there from Palhinha.”
Disappointing
Meslier’s mistake will be incredibly disappointing for him, considering he has arguably been Leeds United’s best performer throughout this season.
But, there was nothing he could do about Palhinha’s strike who lobbed him with an absolute pearler. What Meslier was doing off his line we’ll honestly never know, but he certainly wasn’t helped by his players in front of him who gave the ball away in a dreadful position.
However, goalkeepers should be ready and on guard at all times when the ball is in their own half as goals can easily be conceded if they aren’t ready as shown by Palhinha’s sensational strike.
The mistake proved the immaturity in Meslier’s game, and one he will need to learn from if he is to become one of the world’s best goalkeepers that he’s so regularly been touted to be throughout his young career so far.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has shared what he has been told about one transfer link for the summer at Elland Road already
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